Greenhouse construction



Dec. 2, 1941.

Q J. BLA'IN 2,264,290

GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 23, 1959 INVENTQR.

A/TTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 2, 1941 GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION John Blain, Des Plaines, Ill., assignor to Lord &

Burnham Company, Des Plaines, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application October 23, 1939, Serial No. 300,764.

1 Claim.

This invention relates to greenhouses and particularly to those of a light portable type which may be readily and easily erected and also easily taken down as for moving and other purposes.

The objects of the present invention are to provide an economical greenhouse formed of sections whereby it will be readily portable but will yet be strong, practical and efiicient after being erected; to provide a sectional greenhouse having novel means for fastening the sections together or for reinforcing the joints between the same; to provide a greenhouse formed of sections which are readily bolted together to make an extensible structure; to provide a novel joint for fastening the sections together at the ridge; and to provide such other advantages and novel features as will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawing showing a preferred form of this invention,

Figure 1 is an end view showing the sections after being erected;

Figure 2 is a side view of the same;

Figure 3 is a side view of an angle brace used for fastening the two side frames together;

Figure 4 is a front view of the same.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the joint or fastening means for fastening the sections together at the ridge; and

Figure 6 is a sectional detail showing the method of fastening the ridge members of the roof panels together.

As shown in the drawing, the frame structure for the greenhouse comprises side sash l, l and roof sash 8, 8. These sash members are preferably glazed so as to admit a maximum amount of light, the panes of glass 9 of the side sash, preferably extending nearly to the lower ends or adjacent to the supporting sills (not shown).

When the greenhouse is to be erected one side panel 1 and its adjacent roof panel 8 are brought together along their meeting edge and fastened together by wooden braces l and metal brackets ll. These metal brackets are shown particularly in Figures 3 and 4 and comprise strips of sheet metal with central ridges or embossed portions l2 for strengthening the same. The brackets are secured to the sash members by means of screws l3. The oppositely disposed ridge rails M of the roof sash are each provided with fastening plates I of angular cross section as shown in Figure 5.

The main portions of these plates engage with the lower side of the ridge members and the outer ends are provided with flanges l6 at substantially right angles to the main portions. These flanges engage with th outer sides of the ridge members M as shown particularly in Figure 6. These plates or fastening members are secured in place by means of screws I! through the body portion and screws l8 through the flanges. These plates or fastening members have interengaging eyes or knuckles IQ for receiving the pintles 20 for fastening the rail members together.

After the side and roof sash have been secured together to form panels the oppositely disposed panels are positioned as shown in Figure 1 so that the knuckles of the fastening straps i5 will be brought into alignment as shown in Figure 6 and the pintles 20 inserted, which will hold the structure securely inposition. After one panel has been erected the next panel is raised 'adjacent thereto as shown in Figure 2 and the adjacent panels are held together by bolts 2| through the sides of the sash as shown in Figure 2.

.While this forms the principal structural feature of the greenhouse it will of course be understood that ends may be provided or other attachments or modifications as desired to make a complete structure or enclosed house.

From this description it will be readily seen that I provide the necessary structural elements for making a very light and practical greenhouse and one which may be readily erected or taken down by inexperienced persons.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

A portable sectional greenhouse structure including sections, each section having two side sash frames with glass therein and two roof sash frames with glass therein, the roof sash frames being positioned at an angle to each other to provide a hip roof, the meeting edges of the roof sash rails being beveled to form the roof ridge, fastening plates secured to the lower surfaces of each of the adjacent rails and having flanges engaging with the edges of the respective rails, means for securing the flanges to said edges,

said plates having interengaging knuckles in alignment with the meeting edges of the rails, and pins engaging with the knuckles for detachably holding the sash together, the arrangement being such that the supporting plates unite the sash rails at the underside thereof, and the adjacent edges forming abutments to hold the sash in predetermined position, the strains on the sash due to the weight thereof and any load thereon being taken up by said plates and pins.

JOHN BLAIN. 

